Fragrant Orchids
Fragrant orchids appeal to us in many different ways. They challenge the grower's art and provide visual inspiration. The varied perfumes of orchids can stir emotions, inducing a vivid recall of a past scene related to a particular fragrance. We first relate orchid fragrances to substances with which we are already familiar such as rose, hyacinth, jasmine or cinnamon. With more sampling experience and with a good nose, we begin to relate scents to particular orchids or groups of orchids. Our sense of smell is more strongly linked to emotion than any other of our senses. A scent memory can be linked to a visual image such as a pleasant social event, a visit to a friend's greenhouse or to an image of a particular flower. Once we smell a particular fragrance, the signal it invokes may be remembered for a very long time.
The fragrant orchid scent is associated with the reproductive process. Scented flowers attract specific pollinators. In cultivation, and with humans performing the pollinator role, we might easily skew the evolutionary process and produce less scented, differently scented or even unscented offspring after several generations of inbreeding. here is yet another aspect to be considered when maintaining species which might eventually be used to re-populate a natural habitat.
Fragrance character can change with the time of day as can fragrance intensity and freshness. Certain are more fragrant at dawn than at dusk. others may have two fragrance periods, dawn and dusk. Some components may cease being emitted as the flowers age or upon pollination, permitting other odors to dominate and thus changing the scent. Heady, sweet fragrance may continue to be emitted on warm, sunny mornings for up to eight days but the scent character changes as the flowers age. Even if pollinators are present, they rarely visit older flowers.
White-flowered are often strongly fragrant of jasmine, lilies, lily-of-the-valley (muguet) or narcissus. Many develop their fragrance in late afternoon or evening. Compact, night- can be easily moved into the living area when in full flower, adding a delightful fragrance dimension to the interior.
Now that are in demand, special displays of have become popular at shows around the world. All are kept in one display for the ease of judging and for public viewing/scent-sampling. Although the judges assess entries independently, they generally have little difficulty coming to a decision.
Fragrance is rewarding option for the hobbyist to explore. come in all sizes and colors and can be found in most genera. They may be grown under a variety of conditions according to type just like any non-fragrant orchid. One can collect one type or a variety to have fragrance on tap throughout the year. Grown well, fragrant orchids will flower and present the grower with a double dose of pleasure, beauty and fragrance.
E-books (downloadable over the internet)
ORCHIDS TO BRAG ABOUT . click here
ORCHID SECRETS REVEALED click here
THE MAGIC OF ORCHIDS click here
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